tor·toise·shell
ˈtȯr-tə-ˌshel 
-əsh-ˌshel
1
: the mottled horny substance of the shell of the hawksbill turtle used especially formerly in inlaying and in making various ornamental articles
2
or tortoiseshell butterfly
: any of several showy nymphalid butterflies (genera Nymphalis and Aglais) that have wings mottled with orange and brown or black
1
: made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in mottled brown and yellow coloring
tortoiseshell glasses
2
: of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat consisting of patches of black, orange, and cream
Examples of tortoiseshell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
Available in everything from black to tortoiseshell to bright red, there’s a pair to match just about any mom’s style.
—Terri Peters, Parents, 9 Nov. 2023
That footage forms the basis for a virtual Sakamoto with the same neat silver mop of hair and round tortoiseshell eyeglasses as the living Sakamoto.
—Sasha Frere-Jones, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2023
This front porch setting leans rustic, but accents of pewter, seasonal china, and even tortoiseshell flatware elevate the table.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2023
Made of lightweight plastic, the link chains measure 54 inches and come in black, lavender and tortoiseshell as well as in gold metal.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2023
The brush is made of Italian acetate available in a range of patterns and colors like tortoiseshell, terrazzo, and pistachio.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
Indian cobra candlesticks, paned Peruvian mirrors, ivory and tortoiseshell boxes, and 18th-century Milanese cabinets all sit comfortably with his own designs—updates of British country-house upholstery and Spice Route furniture.
—Stephen Pappas, ELLE Decor, 25 Aug. 2023
That practice has given Cates, who is 60 and wears tortoiseshell glasses, a rare perch to watch the economy’s ups and downs firsthand.
—Michael Grabell, ProPublica, 3 May 2023
Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 17 Oct. 2022
The Telegraph reports: The tortoiseshell and white cat spends its days pacing from room to room, rarely spending any time with patients except those with just hours to live.
—Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2010
Here, a simple black coat over a white tee is elevated with a pair of sleek frames, the warmth of her tortoiseshell headband, and her fuzzy scarf.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 17 Oct. 2022
Her accessories included a caramel-toned shoulder bag by Prada and a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses from British eyewear brand DMY.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Oct. 2022
Her mother was a housewife who, in the poems, sometimes wields a tortoiseshell hairbrush as a weapon of punishment.
—Sam Anderson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2022
Accessories included tortoiseshell sunglasses from British eyewear brand DMY and a caramel-toned shoulder bag by Prada.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Oct. 2022
This best-selling pair features a tortoiseshell color that will work well with practically any wardrobe.
—Samantha Lawyer, Woman's Day, 17 Aug. 2022
Her accessories included tortoiseshell sunglasses and a beige leather shoulder bag from The Row.
—Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 July 2022
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Noun
Animal: Marbles, a 1-year-old, 6-pound, female domestic shorthair cat with a muted tortoiseshell coat.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
Available in everything from black to tortoiseshell to bright red, there’s a pair to match just about any mom’s style.
—Terri Peters, Parents, 9 Nov. 2023
That footage forms the basis for a virtual Sakamoto with the same neat silver mop of hair and round tortoiseshell eyeglasses as the living Sakamoto.
—Sasha Frere-Jones, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2023
This front porch setting leans rustic, but accents of pewter, seasonal china, and even tortoiseshell flatware elevate the table.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2023
Made of lightweight plastic, the link chains measure 54 inches and come in black, lavender and tortoiseshell as well as in gold metal.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2023
The brush is made of Italian acetate available in a range of patterns and colors like tortoiseshell, terrazzo, and pistachio.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
Indian cobra candlesticks, paned Peruvian mirrors, ivory and tortoiseshell boxes, and 18th-century Milanese cabinets all sit comfortably with his own designs—updates of British country-house upholstery and Spice Route furniture.
—Stephen Pappas, ELLE Decor, 25 Aug. 2023
That practice has given Cates, who is 60 and wears tortoiseshell glasses, a rare perch to watch the economy’s ups and downs firsthand.
—Michael Grabell, ProPublica, 3 May 2023
Adjective
For example, the luxe coat CBK is donning in this image is black, but her headband and sunglasses are tortoiseshell.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 17 Oct. 2022
The Telegraph reports: The tortoiseshell and white cat spends its days pacing from room to room, rarely spending any time with patients except those with just hours to live.
—Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2010
Here, a simple black coat over a white tee is elevated with a pair of sleek frames, the warmth of her tortoiseshell headband, and her fuzzy scarf.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 17 Oct. 2022
Her accessories included a caramel-toned shoulder bag by Prada and a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses from British eyewear brand DMY.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Oct. 2022
Her mother was a housewife who, in the poems, sometimes wields a tortoiseshell hairbrush as a weapon of punishment.
—Sam Anderson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2022
Accessories included tortoiseshell sunglasses from British eyewear brand DMY and a caramel-toned shoulder bag by Prada.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Oct. 2022
This best-selling pair features a tortoiseshell color that will work well with practically any wardrobe.
—Samantha Lawyer, Woman's Day, 17 Aug. 2022
Her accessories included tortoiseshell sunglasses and a beige leather shoulder bag from The Row.
—Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 July 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tortoiseshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing tortoiseshell
Dictionary Entries Near tortoiseshell
Cite this Entry
“Tortoiseshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortoiseshell. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
tortoiseshell
1 of 2 noun
tor·toise·shell
ˈtȯrt-əs-ˌshel
-əsh-ˌshel
1
: a spotted hornlike substance that covers the shell of some turtles and is used especially formerly to make ornamental objects
2
: any of several showy butterflies
tortoiseshell
2 of 2 adjective1
: made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in spotted brown and yellow coloring
2
: of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat that consists of patches of black, orange, and light yellow
More from Merriam-Webster on tortoiseshell
Nglish: Translation of tortoiseshell for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tortoiseshell
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